Where does “animus” come from?

Animus comes from Latin animus, from Proto-Italic anamos, from Proto-Indo-European h₂enh₁mos, derived from the root h₂enh₁-.

animus (English): The basic impulses and instincts which govern...

Definitions

  1. The basic impulses and instincts which govern...

Ancestry of “animus”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1LatinanimusThat life-giving aspect which animates: life...
2Proto-Italicanamosbreath; spirit, soul, life force
3Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂enh₁mosbreath
4Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂enh₁-to breathe
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂enh₁- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂enh₁mos →Every word from Proto-Italic anamos →
animus — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer